Day of the Dead spreads from Mexico to US cities
Chicano artists in the 1970s helped introduce the two-day remembrance to American soil, where it has since become a major cultural event.
By Pedro Tanaka ·
The next seasonal event begins the morning after Halloween. Day of the Dead, known in Spanish as Día de los muertos, runs from November 1 to November 2. The two days have distinct focuses according to tradition. The first day honors the spirits of children, while the second day is dedicated to the spirits of adults.
Participants believe the gates of heaven open at midnight on November 1. This allows the souls of the departed to return to the living world. They are expected to eat, drink, dance, and play music with their families during this time. The holiday is viewed as a festive remembrance rather than a somber occasion.
The roots of the celebration trace back to pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. History.com states that rituals honoring the dead existed there approximately 3,000 years ago. Modern observances blend these ancient Latin American traditions with elements of Roman Catholicism.
Events are characterized by bright colors and specific aromas. People often paint skulls on their faces and wear colorful costumes. They set up altars called ofrendas for their deceased loved ones. These displays include plastic marigold garlands, sugar skulls, and candles.
Marigolds are traditionally called the flower of the dead. Their scent is believed to help attract souls back to the land of the living. Families also place photos, candy, and the favorite foods of the departed on the altars. Mariachi music is frequently heard at cemeteries during the holiday.
Regina Marchi, a journalism and media studies professor at Rutgers University, says the Chicano movement helped bring the celebration to the United States. She notes that Chicano artists in the 1970s celebrated Mexican ritual in the US. She described the practice as an act of political resistance and cultural pride.
The term Chicano is used by Mexican Americans who identify as politically active in social justice issues, according to Rutgers. Interest in the holiday has grown as word of the cultural celebration spread. San Antonio, Texas, and Los Angeles are currently considered among the largest destinations for the event.
Cities from New York to Seattle now host events marking the occasion. The holiday remains popular in its countries of origin, including Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, and parts of Ecuador. In those regions, bakers make sugar skulls and sweet bread of the dead, while artists create elaborate paper cut-outs for altars.
Source: FOX 5 DC
